|
10
Questions Buyers Should Ask Home Inspectors
1. Will your inspection meet recognized standards? Ask
whether the inspection and the inspection report will meet
all state requirements and comply with a well-recognized
standard of practice and code of ethics, such as the one
adopted by the American Society of Home Inspectors or the
National Association of Home Inspectors. Customers can
view each group’s standards of practice and code of
ethics online at www.ashi.org
or www.nahi.org.
ASHI’s Web site also provides a database of state
regulations.
2. Do you belong to a professional home inspector
association? There are many state and national
associations for home inspectors, including the two groups
mentioned in No. 1. Unfortunately, some groups confer
questionable credentials or certifications in return for
nothing more than a fee. Insist on members of reputable,
nonprofit trade organizations; request to see a membership
ID.
3. How experienced are you? Ask how long inspectors have
been in the profession and how many inspections they’ve
completed. They should provide customer referrals on
request. New inspectors also may be highly qualified, but
they should describe their training and let you know
whether they plan to work with a more experienced partner.
4. How do you keep your expertise up to date?
Inspectors’ commitment to continuing education is a good
measure of their professionalism and service. Advanced
knowledge is especially important in cases in which a home
is older or includes unique elements requiring additional
or updated training.
5. Do you focus on residential inspection? Make sure the
inspector has training and experience in the unique
discipline of home inspection, which is very different
from inspecting commercial buildings or a construction
site. If your customers are buying a unique property, such
as a historic home, they may want to ask whether the
inspector has experience with that type of property in
particular.
6. Will you offer to do repairs or improvements? Some
state laws and trade associations allow the inspector to
provide repair work on problems uncovered during the
inspection. However, other states and associations forbid
it as a conflict of interest. Contact your local ASHI
chapter to learn about the rules in your state.
7. How long will the inspection take? On average, an
inspector working alone inspects a typical single-family
house in two to three hours; anything significantly less
may not be thorough. If your customers are purchasing an
especially large property, they may want to ask whether
additional inspectors will be brought in.
8. What’s the cost? Costs can vary dramatically,
depending on your region, the size and age of the house,
and the scope of services. The national average for
single-family homes is about $320, but customers with
large homes can expect to pay more. Customers should be
wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
9. What type of inspection report do you provide? Ask to
see samples to determine whether you will understand the
inspector's reporting style. Also, most inspectors provide
their full report within 24 hours of the inspection.
10. Will I be able to attend the inspection? The answer
should be yes. A home inspection is a valuable educational
opportunity for the buyer. An inspector's refusal to let
the buyer attend should raise a red flag.
Source:
Rob Paterkiewicz, executive director, American Society of
Home Inspectors, Des Plaines, Ill., www.ashi.org.
|
